Noble urges Lions to push on against Kiwis

Great Britain coach Brian Noble has urged his players to back up their memorable Tri-Nations victory over tournament favourites Australia with another committed performance against New Zealand.

The Lions played above themselves for their first win in Australia in 14 years in vanquishing the Kangaroos 23-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday to enhance their hopes of playing the Kangaroos in the November 25 final.

It was Great Britain's first win in Australia since 1992 when they downed the Kangaroos 33-10 in Melbourne. It was only their second win in seven Tri-Nations Tests against Australia.

Great Britain, two points ahead of New Zealand, take on the Kiwis in Wellington next Saturday and another victory will pitch them into the tournament decider.

Noble said it was important his side backed it up with another win across the Tasman next weekend.

"We know we've got our challenges next week but I think we deserve a few beers for now, the players certainly do, we can savour this," Noble said.

"We're not bad at knocking the Aussies off in one Test, the next step is to show we can compete in three (games) if that happens to be the case."

Half-back Sean Long, his team's man-of-the-match, said it was important the Lions did not waste the prestige win over the Kangaroos with a flat performance against the Kiwis.

"If we don't win next week there's no point in winning this one," Long said.

"We've got to kick on from here. It's good to get some points on the table but like I said we've got to kick on and do it again next week."

Strong defence

The Lions' defence won the match with Australia's two tries coming from deep within their own half including one from an intercept close to their own line.

Even when the Kangaroos mounted a late bid to draw level as the home side trailed 18-12, Noble said he remained confident his side could hold on.

"The way we were defending, the desire and probably the technical aspect of our defence as well was pretty good," Noble said.

"In days gone by we might have panicked, we might have been under a little bit of pressure but we didn't, we kept knocking our sets out and managed to get to the right end of the field."

Winger Gareth Raynor sealed the result with a late try after Long had toed through a loose ball as the Australians pressed for the converted try to lock it up.

The Lions will face a Kiwi side which will be fired up after they were docked two points for fielding an ineligible player, Australian-born hooker Nathan Fien.

"They'll be looking to stay in this competition," Noble said of the Kiwis.

The Lions have some injury concerns ahead of their clash with the Kiwis with prop Stuart Fielden (nose) and winger Brian Carney (hamstring) both in doubt.